March 9, 2012 (Press Release) - CEP members at Local 1520 in Dartmouth, N.S., are poised to become the latest victims of labour unrest in the Halifax (Nova Scotia) area. The 100 workers at Maritime Paper will go on strike [today], unless the employer backs down on its concession demands.

The members, who have been in a legal strike position since Feb. 18th, voted yesterday in favor of strike action by an overwhelming majority of 90%.

The company is making demands for concessions on pensions, benefits and flexibility around scheduling, with no explanation of its rationale.

Last year, Maritime Paper Products received a $2.1-million term loan and a four-year $201,375 payroll rebate, tied to the company maintaining its 118 full-time production employees. At the time, the Premier Daryl Dexter touted the investment as an opportunity for the company to ôsecure high-value jobs for Nova Scotians."

SOURCE: CEP (The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada)